(CP) Christians in Syria confront an uncertain and threatening future under the control of Islamist-led rebel forces, a human rights group has warned. The city’s minority Christian population, significantly diminished by years of civil war, now grapples with fears of escalating threats and restrictions.
Islamist rebel forces, led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which is designated as a terrorist organization by the US and UK, captured Aleppo about per week ago, followed by Homs and Damascus late Saturday night in a sweeping offensive that toppled Syrian government forces. Bashar al-Assad fled the country on a flight to Russia on Saturday night.
Since Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham’s takeover of Aleppo, many Christians have fled, forsaking a small but resolute group trying to take care of their faith and traditions.
A key highway between Damascus and Aleppo has also been blocked, leaving residents with only a congested and unsafe alternative route, in keeping with CNA.
The isolation has claimed lives, including that of Dr Arwant Arslanian, a Christian physician killed by sniper fire while attempting to flee town, reported the Facebook page of Armenians of Syria.
A bus carrying young Christians was also stranded on the Aleppo Road, later finding refuge on the Syriac Orthodox Archdiocese.
Many Christian leaders have remained in town, providing spiritual guidance and practical support to their communities.
Syriac Orthodox Metropolitan Bishop Mor Boutros Kassis and other Christian leaders have been communicating through social media where they held prayers and liturgies. They are encouraging Christian residents to face the fact with awareness, courage and faith, he was quoted as saying.
Franciscan Father Bahjat Karakach, representing the Latin Church, acknowledged, “The Church knows not more than the people do.” It’s as much as individuals and families to make your mind up in the event that they wish to stay or leave Aleppo, he stressed. “No one could make it on behalf of one other. We friars are staying and waiting to see how things unfold,” he was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, the Islamist faction, an offshoot of al-Qaeda, has pledged to guard civilians, including Christians. HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani visited Aleppo’s citadel and stated, “Aleppo has at all times been a gathering point for civilizations and cultures, and it should remain so, with a protracted history of cultural and non secular diversity,” as reported by Al-Monitor.
Despite assurances, fears persist amongst Aleppo’s estimated 30,000 Christians, down from lots of of 1000’s before the Syrian conflict began in 2011.
Switzerland-based group Christian Solidarity International responded to the reassurance given by HTS, saying, “HTS’ ideology and history give religious minorities in Aleppo serious reason to doubt these guarantees.”
HTS has often targeted Christians throughout Syria in violent attacks and kidnappings, repeatedly killing Christian civilians and confiscating their property, CSI explained.
“In the Salafist worldview that animates HTS, Christians are usually not heretics to be destroyed (just like the Alawites and the Druzes), but ‘people of the Book’ — followers of religions that were revealed before the approaching of the [Islamic] prophet Muhammad. In lands ruled by Islam, they must be made dhimmis — a protected people who find themselves kept in legal subjugation and pay an extra tax called the jizya,” CSI continued.
“Until now, HTS has avoided imposing dhimmi status on Christians in Idlib by referring to them as musta’min, or temporary residents,” the group acknowledged. “But how long will HTS maintain this distinction?” CSI asked.
However, Archbishop Boutros Marayati of the Armenian Catholic Church sought to reassure worshippers during a Mass, telling them, “Do not fear, dear brothers. We have received assurances from all parties. Continue living normally, and all the pieces will remain as before, even higher,” as quoted by AL Monitor.
The Christian community in Aleppo has historically aligned with the Syrian government, which President Bashar al-Assad, a member of the Alawite minority, has positioned as a protector of minorities.
The rebel takeover represents a dramatic shift, stirring memories of prior persecution through the Islamic State’s reign over parts of Syria. IS systematically targeted Christians, destroying churches and fascinating in mass kidnappings before being defeated in 2019.
© The Christian Post
